Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the Department of Public Works and Services main estimates for the fiscal year 2001-2002.
The estimates propose a department operations and maintenance budget for 2001-2002 of $39.2 million and a capital acquisition plan of $1.9 million. The department will have 185 positions funded within the appropriation.
These resources will be used to provide critical support services to departments and communities, including:
- • the operation and maintenance of infrastructure;
- • management of capital construction projects;
- • safety and inspection services;
- • leasing of government offices;
- • provision of record management services; and
- • monitoring and intervention in northern and national telecommunication proceedings.
As other departments work to achieve government objectives by delivering direct services to our residents, Public Works and Services provides necessary technical and professional support to those departments.
Mr. Chairman, there are many examples of the kind of support Public Works and Services provides to departments as they attempt to achieve an appropriate balance between:
- • the expectations of our residents for high quality services;
- • the practical constraints of operating in our difficult northern environment; and
- • the limitations of our current budgets.
The success of many building and infrastructure projects is often not fully recognized or acknowledged. I would like to mention today:
- • the new Inuvik regional health and social services centre, which is in the design state this year;
- • the construction of the community office complex in Rae Lakes, which is being carried out by the local community development corporation;
- • the $5 million renovation of the Princess Alexandra School in Hay River; and
- • the water supply projects underway in Tulita and Fort McPherson.
These are all critical community and regional projects that will contribute in a positive way to achieving the government's long-term objectives.
Another important role of this department is the provision of essential fuel services. Through the petroleum products revolving fund, Public Works and Services funds the provision of heating fuel and gasoline in communities where a commercial operation does not exist. This includes providing safe tank farms in these remote locations, as well as contracting with and training local fuel delivery agents to provide the services. These agents have an important function in their communities and Public Works and Services works with them to carry out this essential service.
During the year 2000, the price of fuel on the world market increased and the government was forced to include these changes, as well as other cost increases, in the prices paid in communities. In some locations, these higher fuel prices prompted local people to propose taking over the fuel services for their area. For example, services in Tuktoyaktuk were privatized in the year 2000. The department continues to discuss commercialization with other communities and regions.
Finally, Public Works and Services provides information systems and technical communication services for use by the government. More and more, the ability of the government to provide services to northern residents is dependent upon the availability and quality of these systems. The government is already benefiting from the recent installation of a fibre optics network between government offices and health and education facilities in Yellowknife. These circuits provide improved capacity and speed, while saving the government $450,000 over three years.
Because of departmental expertise in telecommunications, Public Works and Services also represents the interests of the government and all NWT residents in hearings before the CRTC. Many years of work have recently borne fruit with our input contributing to the opening of competition for long distance services in the NWT and lowering of rates for long distance calls. I think that this is a good example of the low profile work of Public Works and Services, which has a high profile impact on the lives of all people in the NWT.
Mr. Chairman, the proposed budget is comparable to last year's budget. Public Works and Services expects to continue to provide a high level of support services to departments within the same budget. No major changes have been proposed for the new fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions Members may have. Thank you.